Electric wire and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

An electric wire in which a carbon film having abrasion resistance and lubricity is formed on the outer surface of an insulation cover made from at least one kind of material selected from rubber and resin, and covering an electric wire body, and a manufacturing method of the electric wire.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electric wire comprising: an electric wire body;   a flexible insulation cover covering said electric wire; and   a carbon film having abrasion resistance and lubricity formed on an outer surface of said insulation cover, said carbon film having a thickness of about 0.2 μm to 10 μm to maintain the flexibility of the insulation cover.   
     
     
       2. The electric wire according to claim 1, wherein said insulation cover is exposed to a plasma made of at least a fluorine (F) gas, a hydrogen (H 2 ) gas, or an oxygen (O 2 ) gas. 
     
     
       3. The electric wire according to claim 1, wherein said carbon film is formed by plasma CVD. 
     
     
       4. The electric wire according to claim 1, wherein said carbon film is a DLC film. 
     
     
       5. The electric wire according to claim 1, wherein said insulation cover is made from rubber or resin. 
     
     
       6. A manufacturing method of an electric wire comprising forming a carbon film having abrasion resistance and lubricity on an outer surface of a flexible insulation cover covering an electric wire body, said carbon film having a thickness of about 0.2 μm to 10 μm to maintain the flexibility of the insulating cover. 
     
     
       7. The manufacturing method of said electric wire according to claim 6, further comprising, before a forming step, exposing said insulation cover to a plasma made of at least a fluorine (F) gas, a hydrogen (H 2 ) gas, or an oxygen (O 2 ) gas. 
     
     
       8. The manufacturing method of said electric wire according to claim 6, wherein said carbon film is formed by plasma CVD. 
     
     
       9. The manufacturing method of said electric wire according to claim 6, wherein said carbon film is a DLC film. 
     
     
       10. The manufacturing method of said electric wire according to claim 6, wherein said insulation cover is made of rubber or resin. 
     
     
       11. The manufacturing method of said electric wire according to claim 6, further comprising, before a forming step, exposing said insulation cover to a plasma of oxygen (O 2 ) gas; and   thereafter, exposing said insulation cover to a plasma made of a fluorine (F) gas, a hydrogen (H 2 ) gas, or an oxygen (O 2 ) gas.   
     
     
       12. An electric wire according to claim 6, wherein said carbon film has a thickness of 0.5 μm to 5 μm.